Cootamundra wattle Acacia baileyana
Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to A small area around Cootamundra in the South Western Slopes of New South Wales. It grows 5–8 m (16–26 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Cootamundra wattle in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cootamundra wattle at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | A small area around Cootamundra in the South Western Slopes of New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇹 Portugal |
| Invasive in | South Africa, New Zealand, Victoria, Western Australia and other parts of Australia outside its native range: check local rules before planting |
Is Cootamundra wattle toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not considered poisonous; the pollen can trigger hay fever.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cootamundra wattle
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Cootamundra wattle
- How far apart should I plant Cootamundra wattle?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
- Does Cootamundra wattle need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cootamundra wattle need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cootamundra wattle?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Cootamundra wattle flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Cootamundra wattle poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not considered poisonous; the pollen can trigger hay fever.
- What grows well with Cootamundra wattle?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Feathery silver-blue leaves and a winter blaze of golden ball flowers; ‘Purpurea’ has purple young shoots. Fast and short-lived (20–30 years). Its seed lasts for decades in the soil, so it spreads into bushland far from its tiny native range and is a declared weed in places.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis